If you or a family member have ever experienced pain from wisdom teeth, you may have questioned if this type of pain is normal. Maybe you contacted a dental professional, or maybe you tried to tolerate the pain on your own. This discomfort could be caused by a condition known as pericoronitis, which commonly affects wisdom teeth as they begin to break through the gum tissue. Here’s what to know
If you’ve recently welcomed a new baby into your family, you probably have a lot on your mind! From their growth milestones to feedings to adapting to a new sleep schedule, you have plenty of new topics to learn. Your baby’s teeth are a subject you’re hoping to learn about later on down the road. But according to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, about one out of every 2,000 babies are born with
When you think about practicing good oral hygiene, chances are you think about brushing your teeth. But there’s another part of your mouth that deserves just as much attention and care as those chompers of yours – your tongue. The tongue plays a vital role in helping you taste, swallow, digest, breathe, and communicate. That covers a lot of what you require as a human being to survive. And also
Wisdom teeth are not only the last teeth to emerge, but in many cases, they’re the most tedious and trouble-prone. One associated problem many people face is the development of an operculum, which is a flap of gum tissue over the partially erupted tooth, according to a study in the International Journal of Dental and Medical Research (IJDMR). Though common, it can lead to infection if left untreated. Find out how to
Teeth are strong and white, just like bones. They also store calcium like bones. Because of these strong similarities, you may be wondering: are teeth bones? It’s a great question. As you read on, we’ll examine what your bones and teeth are made of and the difference between them. We’ll also look at how to protect your teeth. What Are Bones Made Of? Bones are mostly made of collagen, which
We know that as parents, every milestone for your child is important. If you have a small baby, you’re probably waiting with anticipation for the tiny white bud that signals the arrival of their first tooth. So when should you start worrying about baby teeth that aren’t coming in? For most kids with no teeth, a delay shouldn’t be a concern. But in some infants, there may be underlying causes
Your tongue has eight muscles that allow your tongue the freedom of movement required to perform many of its most essential tasks. And like any muscle in your body, your tongue can experience occasional involuntary movements (or spasms.) Some twitching is fleeting and harmless, but recurring tongue spasms (lingual dystonia) can make it difficult to eat and speak. If you’re experiencing tongue spasms, we’ll break down what may be causing
A person can say a lot with just a smile, but they can say even more by hiding it. It’s easy to feel unwilling to show off your pearly whites if you’re not confident about your oral health. Most people understand the importance of brushing and flossing, and although it’s a good start, they’re not the end-all to healthy teeth. Treating your teeth with fluoride is a very important part
There’s something special about the time in your child’s life when their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in. But in some cases, certain teeth simply don’t grow in or appear, and are not just trapped in the gum. This is called having congenitally missing teeth (CMT), or hypodontia, and it’s actually fairly common. Luckily, today’s dental and medical advancements provide options for you or your child to
Eating, speaking, breathing, digesting food, and smiling. Your mouth does it all and then some. It has many components working together. Some more intricate than others. Here’s all that it takes to make your mouth work. Lips and Cheeks This dynamic duo is made up of strong muscles. They allow you to smile, frown, kiss and speak. They help you chew, blow bubbles, and breathe. They also act as a
Congratulations, your wisdom teeth have arrived! Unfortunately, many times these wisdom teeth — also known as third molars — need to be removed. The way these teeth grow can cause all kinds of complications, so getting rid of them early may be a smart decision over the long term. The price of a wisdom tooth extraction can become an obstacle to a healthier smile, so learn more about the estimated costs and
If you’re a woman curious about how menopause and other hormonal changes will affect your dental health, you’re not alone! From puberty to getting your period, to having children to menopause, there are several times in a woman’s life when her hormones can change. Menopausal hormones, specifically, affect the body in many ways, and according to the American Dental Association, one common side effect is dry mouth. Also known as